"Aunty——" began the girl, and then, as Garman moved his horse toward her, she bowed her head and pulled her mount away from Garman's. "Very well, aunty," she said nervously, and there was relief in her bearing as she drew away from Garman.
This time, as she cantered away she looked back. And in her eyes was a look of appeal, and a promise that she would come again.
XX
"How about Willy High Pockets—or Tiger?" demanded Higgins the instant the ladies were out of hearing.
"Payne," said Garman, instantly dropping his air of affectation and becoming the business man, "you've made a mistake in picking a chief assistant with red hair. Damn it, man, don't you know it's a sign of hot-headedness. Keep 'em down—foremen, crew handlers, perhaps; but as executives, never!"
The veins were swelling in Higgins' thick neck and his face rivaled his fiery poll in redness. He came toward Garman with quick, eager steps.
"Hey, Hig!" laughed Payne. "Are you going to prove that he's right?"
"I came to see you about that Indian, Payne," said Garman, dismissing Higgins emphatically. "Not that I'm interested personally. Others are. Didn't he come back to you?"
"No."
"You haven't seen him since?"